Title IX and Sexual Misconduct

A Message from the Title IX Coordinator

At Mississippi State, we are committed to ensuring an educational environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex or gender. This means we take all forms of sexual violence and other misconduct very seriously, and place particular emphasis on responding effectively to the nationwide problem of sexual assault.

The university is taking proactive steps to raise awareness of issues surrounding sexual assault, including consent, alcohol consumption, and bystander intervention. This is done partly through the online Haven and Haven for Faculty and Staff programs, which are mandatory for all new students and employees, and available via myState to all members of the university community. Additionally, our office works in tandem with others to provide face-to-face training to groups throughout the university.

I would encourage you to take a few minutes and review our Frequently Asked Questions page. The FAQ will explain your options for reporting sexual misconduct or seeking confidential assistance. It also explains our policies for investigating and adjudicating sexual misconduct matters.

Reporting and Confidential Assistance

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you have multiple options for reporting to MSU or to law enforcement. These include options for confidential assistance.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

If you are not in immediate danger and would like to submit a complaint to the university, contact the Title IX Coordinator, Brett Harvey, at 662-325-5839 or by email at titleix@msstate.edu.

The MSU Safeline: If you are not sure whether you want to submit a formal complaint, call the MSU Safe Line at 662-325-3333. The Safe Line is staffed by trained counselors 24/7, who can put you in touch with MSU's Sexual Assault Advocate. This process is confidential. No report will be submitted to the university unless and until you decide you are ready.

Other Confidential Resources: Confidential Resources can provide assistance to sexual misconduct victims without having to formally report to university administration. These resources include (1) Student Counseling Services (662-325-2091), where students can meet confidentially with trained counselors; (2) the Longest Student Health Center (662-325-2431), where members of the MSU community can seek medical care, including emergency care; and (3) the MSU Employee Assistance Program (1-866-219-1232), which provides confidential assistance and advising to MSU employees on a wide range of issues.

Whether you report to MSU or not, you always retain your right to report sexual misconduct to law enforcement. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information on how to do so.

Mandatory Reporting

Most MSU employees are considered "Responsible Employees" for purposes of university policy and federal guidance. Responsible Employees have a mandatory duty to inform the Office of Compliance and Integrity if they learn about (1) sexual misconduct involving any member of the university community, or (2) any other sexual misconduct on campus or in connection with any MSU program or activity. All MSU employees should assume that they are mandatory reporters, absent specific instructions to the contrary from a supervisor.

To learn more about mandatory reporting, take a look at a short instructional video found here.

Haven Training

Mississippi State has implemented Haven, an online training system, as a key component of our efforts to raise awareness of sexual assault and related issues. Haven covers subjects like effective consent, alcohol consumption, stalking, harassment, and dating violence in a clear, accessible and interactive manner.

The university mandates completion of Haven for all incoming students and new employees. For students, Haven is accessed via a link in the upper right hand corner of your Main myState page. For employees, Haven is accessed via a link in the upper right hand corner of your Office myState page. If you have questions about Haven, please contact us at titleix@msstate.edu.

Syllabus Statements

All course syllabi should contain the university’s standardized statement on Title IX and sexual misconduct. The statement is:

MSU is committed to complying with Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination, including violence and harassment, based on sex. This means that MSU’s educational programs and activities must be free from sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and other forms of sexual misconduct. If you or someone you know has experienced sex discrimination, sexual violence and/or harassment by any member of the university community, you are encouraged to report the conduct to MSU’s Director of Title IX/EEO Programs at 325-8124 or by e-mail to titleix@msstate.edu. Additional resources are available at www.oci.msstate.edu/focus-areas/title-ix-sexual-misconduct.

Additionally, faculty may choose to notify students of their mandatory reporter status via a statement in the course syllabus. Including this statement is optional. OCI recommends the following language:

As the instructor for this course, I have a mandatory duty to report to the university any information I receive about possible sexual misconduct. This includes information shared in class discussions or assignments, as well as information shared in conversations outside class. The purpose of reporting is to allow MSU to take steps to ensure a safe learning environment for all. The university also has confidential resources available, who can provide assistance to those who have experienced sexual misconduct without triggering a mandatory reporting duty. More information about confidential resources is available at www.oci.msstate.edu/focus-areas/title-ix-sexual-misconduct.

This page contains plain language answers to frequently asked questions about sexual misconduct, reporting, and related issues. If your question isn't answered here, give us a call and we will be glad to help.